Something to remember is that you can have back labor too. I was getting sharp pains in my lower back (no pain up front at all!). Finally my husband insisted that we go to the hospital. I was two weeks early so I didn't think I was in labor. Needless to say, I was 9cm dilated when I got there! Until my water broke, all of my pain was in my back and quite honestly up until that point it didn't really hurt that bad. When I first got there the nurse asked what my pain level was on a scale of 1-10 and I told her 6. When they realized I was 9cm, they all thought I was nuts!

The first stage of labor, typically takes hours. Contractions, to me, feel like period cramps and pressure down low like a bowel movement is coming. Real contractions take your breath away. They are also rhymthical. If you are getting any sort of cramping at a regular rate (every 5 mins etc.), you should consider that they may be labor contractions. It doesn't hurt to call your doctor anytime you suspect you may be in labor. You will have plenty of time. Take a shower, eat a meal. It might be the last time for hours or days that you get to do either of those things!

a BabyCenter member

Answered 2/16/10

6 found this helpful

Contractions in early labor feel a lot like period cramps. If you can lie down or take a shower and they stop, it's not time yet. When they don't stop no matter what you do and start to build in intensity, you'll know it's time.
First labors generally take hours...sometimes even days. You'll most likely have plenty of time to pack your bag, do a load of laundry, empty the dishwasher...and you should try to do those things and not rush off to the hospital at the first twinge.

That was a bit uncalled for areypioneer!! It is actually very helpful to know that it&#39;s possible to feel it all in your back. A friend of mine had the same thing so maybe not as rare as you think. And I think you&#39;ll find the point to these questions forums is to gather/share experiences and then you can apply them to your own situation.

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Sweet! So you are an exception.........you had back labor. Do you really think that is of any consequence to someone asking &quot;when will I know the baby is coming?&quot; So frustrating how everyone needs to give their 2 cents on pregnancy. this person just wanted to the know what&#39;s typical, not what happened in you particular effed up situation. Your answer helps no one.

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